New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s executive revamp has gathered pace, with three key appointments being confirmed on Monday under the leadership of chief executive Matt Ballesty.
Moonee Valley Racing Club’s head of racing Charlotte Mills will also take up a 12-month racing consultancy role with NZTR which coincides with the expiration of her current contract after this year’s Cox Plate.
Experienced racing and wagering executive Mitch Lamb assumes the role as NZTR’s general manager of racing and the well-travelled Zac Reynolds will be general manager of brand experience, communications and industry promotion.
Lamb has previously worked across racing, wagering and media at Europe’s OlyBet, Tabcorp, William Hill and Sky Channel in Australia, while Reynolds is also a former Tabcorp employee.
He also brings experience from Sportingbet, BlueBet and bet365 as well as Churchill Downs in the United States.
“These appointments follow a rigorous search - both here in New Zealand and internationally - to ensure we have the right people in the right roles,” Ballesty said.
“Our industry needs bold decisions and a relentless focus on engaging participants, challenging the status quo, and growing our fan base.
“These leaders bring world-class expertise, proven results, and a passion for racing that will help secure the future of New Zealand thoroughbred racing.”
Earlier this month, NZTR appointed Dan Smith as its general manager of strategy and transformation and Sam Fursdon as general manager of welfare and industry capability.
NZTR will also establish a Racing Think Tank to guide programming, the racing calendar, and the national pattern, allowing industry participants and stakeholders to provide input into how the sport is conducted.
Lamb and Reynolds will relocate to NZTR’s offices in Cambridge while Mills, who was also chief racing officer at Racing Wagering Western Australia before relocating to Victoria, will split her time between Victoria and New Zealand.
NZTR’s outgoing chief operating officer Darin Balcombe, the incoming general manager of special projects, has stepped in as acting chief executive of RACE, which runs Awapuni and Trentham race clubs.
